Stay safe, urges workplace equipment firm Slingsby 24 December 2012

As the year draws to a close, workplace equipment supplier Slingsby has issued a top-10 list of New Year's resolutions it believes should help plants and factories to ensure safety during 2013.

"As well as deciding how to improve their personal lives, it's also worth people considering how to enhance safety records in their workplaces," urges Lee Wright, marketing director of Slingsby.

"Usually New Year's resolutions in businesses revolve around improving financial systems, marketing or IT," he continues. "Often, health and safety is overlooked despite being one of the key functions."

Slingsby's top 10 are as follows:

First, observe how employees work and look out for any unsafe or risky behaviour and activities that could be improved upon.

Second, consider whether employees could benefit from training and what this might include. "This is often the most important aspect of any successful safety programme" says Wright.

Third, look carefully at the layout and condition of work areas and think about whether changes could be made to improve safety.

Fourth, take an objective look at all equipment and machinery, rather than simply assuming it works correctly, and make sure action is taken whenever you find faults.

Fifth, review maintenance schedules for machinery or equipment to make sure they are up to date and still relevant for the workplace.

Sixth, look at all PPE (personal protective equipment) and check that it's appropriate, in good condition and readily available to all workers.

Seventh, identify potential fire, chemical, electrical and other hazards throughout the plant, and take action to eliminate any risks.

Eighth, invite employees to make suggestions about how they think workplace safety could be improved, and be sure to consider these carefully.

Ninth, the Christmas break is a great opportunity to tidy up, move things off the floor and have a good clear out.

Tenth, usually if something hasn't been used for 12 months it won't be used again – so get rid of it, rather than leaving it sitting in a walkway or cluttering up a cupboard.

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
HC Slingsby plc

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